Surface condenser



J. F. KIRGAN SURFACE CONDENSER Aug. 13, 1929.

Filed April 23, 1927 IN I EN TOR.

Patented Aug. 13, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1 1,724,138 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. KIRGAN, OF EAS'ION, PENNSYLVANIA. ASSIGNOR T INGERSOLL-RANLD COIVI- PANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

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Application filed April 23,

This invention relates to surface condensers, and more particularly to that type of surface condenser which is divided off into zones or compartments having different 5 steam condensing capacities due to progreshill sive warming of the circulating water in the tubes.

It is an object of this invention to seal the compartments effectively from one another in regions of relatively great pressure differential, thereby avoiding short circuiting of the steam and air paths within the condenser.

Other objects and advantages of the in vention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of the specification and in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts,

Figure 1 is a side View of a condenser constructed in accordance with the practice of the invention, portions being broken away to show the internal construction more clearly,

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section through the condenser along the line 22 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Figure 3 is an enlarged view in section of a portion of the condenser casing showing more clearly the manner of sealing the compartment partitions at the sides of the condenser shell.

Referring to the drawings the condenser comprises a shell A and a steam inlet B and. conduits C and D remote from the steam inlet B to be used as condensate outlets. A plurality of tubes E are arranged preferably perpendicular to the path of the steam entering the inlet B and are sealed at their ends in tube sheets F. The tubes Eare adapted to convey cooling water from an inlet water box G at one end of the condenser to a discharge water box H at the opposite ends of the tubes E. If desired, the water boxes G and H may be split horizontally into two compartments separated by decks as shown at J so as to provide separate parallel water paths through upper and lower banks of the tubes E. In this instance there are provided two inlets K and L and two outlets O and P respectively. The objects of pro viding separate circulating water circuits is to enable the lower section Where condensing is less active to have less water velocity.

The conden er is con tructed to enable the 1927. Serial No. 186,051.

steam to be condensed to be distributed in accordance with the steam condensing capacity of the various portions of the tubes E. As is evident, the cooler ends of the tubes E adjacent the inlet water box G have greater steam condensing capacity than the warmer ends of those tubes near the discharge water box H. Accordingly the interior of the con denser shell is divided into a plurality of compartments by means of partitions Q extending to the bottom of the condenser and. in this instance providing for compartments of unequal steam condensing capacity. Each compartment is connected with suitable evac uating ports (not shown) by means of air outlets 1%, each outlet being adapted in this instance to serve two compartments. To this end each outlet R is divided into two sections by a partition plate S and may be throttled to restrict the flow of air from any section in accordance with the practice described in Patent No. 1,598,649 of Sept. 7, 1926, to John ll. Kirgan. The compartments are maintained therefore at different pressures near the air outlets and to this end the partitions Q, are sealed at the condenser shell to prevent communication between the compartments. The casing A is provided with grooves T into which the partitions Q, are inserted. Sealing means, as for instance the tubes U which may be of any suitable packing material, as for instance, lead, rubher and the like, is forced into the grooves beside the partition Q, to make a tight joint. Preferably, the sealing extends from the bottom to the top at all points where the partitions Q contact with the casing A but it is more essential that the joint be tight near the bottom of the condenser for at that point the difference in pressure in the compartinents is greatest.

The condensate from the coldest compartment is adapted to be introduced into the next compartment through a trap V which allows only the condensate to flow into the latter compartment from the former on account of the U-form of trap provided. Likewise, condensate from the warmest compartment is adapted to flow into the compartment next thereto through a lJ-trap conduit W.

The condenser illustrated is provided with by-passes X permitting part of the steam to pass around the upper group of tubes directly to the lower group of tubes. This permits closer spacing of the tubes E and 7 of steam penetration in the lower group throughout the length of the condenser ineluding partitions forming compartments within the shell extending in the direction of steam flow toward the air outlet and a groove in the condenser shell to receive the partitions at their sides from top to bottom and sealing means in said groove between the partitions and the condenser shell walls to prevent communication between said compartments in the region of the by-passes and at the bottom of the shell.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

JOHN F. KIRGAN. 

